Sultonali Partoviev, a Wakhi speaker from Vunukt in the Pamir region of Tajikistan, tells the strange and miraculous story of a miller who encountered a group of demons -- underlining the importance of saying God's name [bismillah] in anything you do in your life. In Wakhi with Wakhi and English subtitles by Husniya Khujamyorova.
Wakhi researcher Vatani Alidodov tells a story about a man who encounters a stranger and is given 40 children by God -- the origin of many place names in the Wakhan region. In Wakhi with Wakhi and English subtitles. Produced by Husniya Khujamyorova, Nicole Galpern, and Ross Perlin.
Wakhi speaker Bibimo Ghulomalieva sings a bilbilik, a traditional type of Wakhi song, and then explains how she learned as a child and the context of sorrow and longing when going to pasture in which bilbilik are sung. In Wakhi with Wakhi and English subtitles. Produced by Husniya Khujamyorova, Nicole Galpern, and Ross Perlin.
Wakhi speaker Nikbakht Khujanazarova -- who lives in the multilingual community of Murghab — improvises a traditional bilbilik, a song of longing for loved ones. In Wakhi with Wakhi and English subtitles. Produced by Husniya Khujamyorova, Nicole Galpern, and Ross Perlin
Wakhi speaker and research Vatani Alidodov talks about the early history of the Pamir region in today's Tajikistan -- an area where a great deal of history has been preserved but is not necessarily recognized today. He mentions both material and linguistic remains, including a possible origin of the outside label "Wakhi/Wakhan". He also mentions hypotheses that trace very early human migration either out of, or into, the Pamir -- further testament to the area's status as an ancient...
Matluba Mamadyoqubova, a speaker of Wakhi from Murghab, Tajikistan, sings a bilbilik, a traditional Wakhi song of longing. In Wakhi with Wakhi and English subtitles. Produced by Husniya Khujamyorova, Nicole Galpern, and Ross Perlin.
Wakhi speaker Asalbegim Mamadalibekova discusses the lullaby she sang and its significance for Wakhis. In Wakhi with Wakhi and English subtitles. Produced by Nicole Galpern, Husniya Davlatyor, and Ross Perlin.
A Wakhi lullaby [or lalajik], sung by Asalbegim Mamadalibekova and recorded in Vrang [in the Pamir mountains of Tajikistan], by Husniya Khujamyorova. With Wakhi subtitles and English translations.
Matluba Mamadyoqubova, a Wakhi speaker in Murghab in the Pamir region of Tajikistan, talks briefly about the feeling of singing bilbilik, a special genre of Wakhi song. In Wakhi with Wakhi and English subtitles. Produced by Husniya Khujamyorova, Nicole Galpern, and Ross Perlin.
Wakhi speaker Nikbakht Khujanazarova -- who lives in the multilingual community of Murghab -- tells a popular traditional story about two fated lovers who find each other and save their parents in the nick of time. Produced by Husniya Khujamyorova, Nicole Galpern, and Ross Perlin
Wakhi speaker Rahila Babar, originally from Upper Hunza in Pakistan but now living in New York, sings a famous Wakhi song, accompanied by musician Shahid Ahmed Khan. In Wakhi with subtitles in Wakhi and English. Production, transcription, and translation by Husniya Khujamyorova.
Wakhi speaker Odinamamad Mirzoev, who runs a unique museum devoted to his home region, in Namadgut gives a brief overview of the history of the Wakhan region, today no longer an administrative entity but still an area rich in history where three religions [Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, and Islam] have thrived. In Wakhi with Wakhi and English subtitles by Husniya Khujamyorova. Produced by Nicole Galpern, Husniya Khujamyorova, and Ross Perlin.
Wakhi speaker Jumakhon Matrobov tells the story of Rukhshona, a headstrong young queen who refuses to marry for years, but instead sends out her image, engraved on rings, around the world to ensure that her kingdom will have wheat. Meanwhile she challenges any suitors to take food from out of a lion's mouth — ultimately one succeeds and they have a son named Lal. Later, when the King of Pakistan sees Rukhshona's image on a ring and verifies her beauty, he arrives with his army, vowing to...
A Wakhi a cappella song [ruboi, or more specifically bɨlbɨlik], recorded in Vrang [in the Pamir mountains of Tajikistan], by Husniya Khujamyorova. With Wakhi subtitles and English translations.
Wakhi speaker Husniya Khujamyorova narrates a folktale collected by Saudatsho Matrobov about a golden hen that produces magical riches. With illustrations by Clarissa Diaz. In Wakhi, with Wakhi and English text.
Sultonali Partoviev, a Wakhi speaker from Vunukt in the Pamir region of Tajikistan, tells the tale of a man who went to learn to make an ethical living -- and the surprising rewards he discovered. Recorded by Husniya Khujamyorova. In Wakhi, with Wakhi subtitles and English translation.
Wakhi speaker Rahila Babar, originally from Upper Hunza in Pakistan but now living in New York, talks about her music and her life as a Wakhi-American. In Wakhi with subtitles in Wakhi and English. Production, transcription, and translation by Husniya Khujamyorova
Wakhi speaker Shakir Ahmed -- originally from the Gojal Valley in northern Pakistan, now living in Istanbul -- tells the story of one of Istanbul's most famous landmarks. Though not in a traditional Wakhi setting, the video shows the global reach of the language -- which can be used to tell any and every story, wherever Wakhi people meet. In Wakhi with Wakhi and English subtitles by Husniya Khujamyorova.
Sultonali Partoviev, a Wakhi speaker from Vunukt in the Pamir region of Tajikistan, tells a punning and intricate story of jealousy and intrigue within a royal family. Recorded by Husniya Khujamyorova. In Wakhi, with Wakhi subtitles and English translation.
Young Wakhi speaker Jumagul Davlatyor re-tells a classic story from the book "Wuç Dijor Gandʒ" edited by Saodatsho K. Matrobov, of how the king's son and the vizier's son, almost twins, sought a beautiful woman despite all obstacles. In Wakhi with Wakhi and English subtitles by Husniya Khujamyorova.
A folktale narrated by Sulton Ali of Vunukt, Tajikistan in the Wakhi language. Recorded by Husniya Khujamyorova.
Wakhi speaker Jahonamo Chuvanbekova talks about the lullabies in Wakhi culture, and importance of singing them in raising a child. She highlights how lullaby impacts a child's language development, building bonds with the mother and helping the child to fall asleep. In Wakhi with Wakhi and English subtitles by Husniya Khujamyorova. Produced by Husniya Khujamyorova, Nicole Galpern, and Ross Perlin.
Davlatmo Bairambekova -- a young Wakhi speaker, interviewed here during Nowruz 2017 at the Ismaili Center in Dushanbe, Tajikistan -- introduces herself and her world. Recorded by Emma Kazaryan [interviewer] and Daniel A. Nelson [cinematographer], with Wakhi and English subtitles by Husniya Khujamyorova.
Wakhi speaker Zaynab Rahtmatbekova shares examples from her poetry, including a religious devotional poem to the Imam of the Time as well as more secular poetry on other themes. She also explains how and when and why she writes in her native language. In Wakhi with Wakhi and English subtitles. Produced by Husniya Khujamyorova, Nicole Galpern, and Ross Perlin.
Mahboob Hussain, a Wakhi speaker from Gojal, Pakistan now living in New York, tells the classic tale of a village where only one woman, warned by a holy visitor, survived a catastrophic flood. In Wakhi, with Wakhi and English subtitles by Husniya Khujamyorova.
Wakhi speakers from Vrang, in the Pamir region of Tajikistan, discuss their reasons for singing bibilik, an a cappella genre of song expressing longing for a loved one. For the bilbilik itself, see https://youtu.be/C36QnxL4S6E. In Wakhi with Wakhi and English subtitles. Produced by Husniya Khujamyorova, Nicole Galpern, and Ross Perlin
Milana Rajabekova, a Wakhi speaker living in Moscow, sings a song about her vatan, or homeland, to demonstrate how Wakhi speakers in diaspora still value and preserve their language and culture. Interviewed by Islom Mirzoev. Directed by Kaikhisrav Mavlonqulov. Translated by Husniya Khujamyorova.
Odinamamad Mirzoev, curator of a museum in his hometown of Namadgut in the Pamir region of Tajikistan, briefly explains the value of a mother tongue. In Wakhi with Wakhi and English subtitles. Produced by Husniya Khujamyorova, Nicole Galpern, and Ross Perlin.
A Wakhi a cappella song of longing [known as "bɨlbɨlik"], recorded in Vrang [in the Pamir mountains of Tajikistan]. In Wakhi with Wakhi and English subtitles. Produced by Husniya Khujamyorova, Nicole Galpern, and Ross Perlin
Young Wakhi speaker Jumagul Davlatyor re-tells the story of a hunter from the book "Wuç Dijor Gandʒ" edited by Saodatsho K. Matrobov. In Wakhi with Wakhi and English subtitles by Husniya Khujamyorova.
Asalbegim Mamadalibekova sings a traditional Wakhi lullaby [or lalajik]. Produced in Vrang, Pamir, Tajikistan by Husniya Khujamyorova, Nicole Galpern, and Ross Perlin.
Sultonali Partoviev, a Wakhi speaker from Vunukt in the Pamir region of Tajikistan, tells the story of a farmer whose crops are always being stolen by fairies -- but who manages to catch one and make her his wife. Recorded by Husniya Khujamyorova. In Wakhi, with Wakhi subtitles and English translation.
Young Wakhi speaker Jumagul Davlatyor tells a classic story from the book "Wuç Dijor Gandʒ", edited by Saodatsho K. Matrobov. In Wakhi with Wakhi and English subtitles by Husniya Khujamyorova.
Shamsbig Muloimkhon, a native Wakhi speaker from China, records a rare video explaining who his people are and where they have come from. In Wakhi with Wakhi and English subtitles. Produced by Husniya Khujamyorova in Tashkurgan, China.
Wakhi speaker Jumahon Matrobov from Darshay in the Pamir region of Tajikistan tells a story. In Wakhi with Wakhi and English subtitles. Produced by Nicole Galpern, Husniya Khujamyorova, and Ross Perlin.
At home in Brooklyn, thousands of miles from the Hunza Valley of northern Pakistan, Amina Bibi passes on the Wakhi language to her 1-year-old son Alhan - through lullabies. In Wakhi with Wakhi and English subtitles. Translation by Husniya Khujamyorova. Camera and editing by Cameddu Biancarelli. Part of the Lullabies of New York Project, supported by the Brooklyn Arts Council.
A mixed Tajik-Wakhi a cappella song [ruboi] -- in this case, a song of mourning -- recorded in Vrang [in the Pamir mountains of Tajikistan], by Husniya Khujamyorova. With Wakhi subtitles and English translations.
Mahboob Hussain, a Wakhi speaker originally from Gojal in northern Pakistan, tells the story of how the wife of the legendary Bobo Sufi, blessed with everything but children, received the miracle of triplets -- two sons and a daughter immediately conceived and delivered. In Wakhi with Wakhi and English subtitles by Husniya Khujamyorova.
Wakhi speaker Zaynab Rahtmatbekova tells a bloody, shocking story about a hunter and his dog. In Wakhi with Wakhi and English subtitles. Produced by Husniya Khujamyorova, Nicole Galpern, and Ross Perlin.
Wakhi speaker Shakir Ahmed -- originally from the Gojal Valley in northern Pakistan, now living in Istanbul -- tells the story of his international life between several countries and his thoughts about the future of the Wakhi language. In Wakhi with Wakhi and English subtitles by Husniya Khujamyorova.
Young Wakhi speaker Jumagul Davlatyor recites a classic poem from the book "Wuç Dijor Gandʒ" edited by Saodatsho K. Matrobov. In Wakhi with Wakhi and English subtitles by Husniya Khujamyorova.
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11
